Former Disney Channel star Steven Anthony Lawrence returns to TV on Rob Lowe's show

• Steven Anthony Lawrence appeared on FOX game show The Floor hosted by Rob Lowe this week
• The actor is best known for playing Beans in the Disney Channel sitcom Even Stevens
• Lawrence won the Renaissance Faire round but lost in the Global News category
  

Former Disney Channel star Steven Anthony Lawrence made an unexpected appearance on Rob Lowe's game show The Floor this week, more than two decades after he became a household name on television.

Lawrence returns to the spotlight

The 35-year-old actor, best remembered for his portrayal of "Beans" on the Shia LaBeouf-led sitcom Even Stevens, took part in Wednesday's episode of the FOX trivia series, in which contestants compete against one another for a $250,000 prize.

Lawrence was assigned the "Renaissance Faire" category and told host Lowe that he felt well-prepared for the medieval-themed round, having previously portrayed an elf in one of his character roles.

"I've done a bunch of character roles in my life, so I'm feeling very knowledgeable in the category," he said.

Beans remain his favourite

Lowe took the opportunity to ask Lawrence which role he had most enjoyed throughout his career.

"Favorite was definitely Beans from 'Even Stevens,'" Lawrence replied, drawing loud cheers from the audience.

Lawrence won the Renaissance-themed round but was subsequently eliminated during the Global News category later in the episode. The appearance nonetheless represented one of his most prominent television moments in several years.

The role that made him famous

Lawrence first rose to prominence in the early 2000s as Bernard "Beans" Aranguren, the eccentric neighbour of the Stevens family in Even Stevens, which also starred LaBeouf, Christy Carlson Romano and AJ Trauth.

Though initially introduced as a recurring character, Beans swiftly emerged as one of the show's most beloved personalities.

Lawrence went on to appear in 22 episodes of the series and later featured in The Even Stevens Movie before departing the show in 2003.

Early 2000s film appearances

Beyond Even Stevens, Lawrence featured in several popular family films of the era, including Mike Myers' live-action adaptation of The Cat in the Hat and the 2003 remake of Cheaper by the Dozen, which also starred fellow Disney Channel alumna Hilary Duff. One of his last major studio releases was the 2005 Will Ferrell comedy Kicking & Screaming.

Universal Studios controversy

Earlier this year, Lawrence attracted significant media attention after he accused Universal Studios Hollywood of dismissing him in retaliation for having reported what he described as a "suspected pedophile."

In a January post on Instagram, Lawrence shared an image of his former work identification card and name badge alongside a Super Mario-themed costume from the park.

"I delayed posting this for about a month because I was hoping we could find some sort of amicable solution because I absolutely loved performing and dancing with all you amazing people," Lawrence wrote.

"It is with a heavy heart I have to announce that my time with Universal Studios has ended," he continued, alleging he was terminated "to retaliate for reporting a suspected pedophile around children."

Universal Studios Hollywood disputed the claims. "We have investigated and reviewed the concerns brought forward by this former employee and they were found to be inaccurate and without merit," a spokesperson said.

"We take all employee concerns seriously and have established processes for raising any concerns without fear of retaliation."